A Guide to Basic Refereeing Signals in Lacrosse

Why Referee Signals Matter in Grassroots Lacrosse

Lacrosse is growing quickly across the South West, from school programmes in Cornwall and Devon to club sides in Bristol, Bath, Exeter, Cheltenham and Gloucester. As more players pick up a stick for the first time, the referee’s whistle can feel like a mystery. Yet the signals that accompany that whistle are the game’s shorthand. They tell everyone what has happened, who gets the ball, and what happens next.

In grassroots lacrosse, officials often manage mixed experience levels, tight pitches, and enthusiastic crowds. Learning the basic signals helps players react faster, coaches adjust in real time, and spectators follow the flow without needing a rulebook. You do not need to memorise every official signal to enjoy the game. A handful of core gestures will cover most of what you see on a Saturday afternoon in the South West.

Possession and Direction Signals

Possession signals are the ones you will see most often. They decide who takes the ball and where play restarts. The referee usually extends one arm horizontally, pointing in the direction the next possession will go. If you see that arm out, look where it points.

• Possession: Arm extended sideways, pointing towards the team awarded the ball.
• Play on: Both arms waved across the body, meaning an advantage is being played and the game should continue.
• Goal: The referee points towards the goal and may raise an arm to confirm the score.
• No goal: Arms waved across each other or swept downwards to cancel a score.
• Timeout: Arms crossed above the head. Players should look to their bench and listen for the whistle to restart.
• Out of bounds: The referee points in the direction of the team awarded possession, often after a brief pause to confirm the last touch.

These signals are usually paired with a clear whistle. If the whistle blows and the arm points, the message is simple: that way.

Common Foul Signals You’ll See

Fouls are signalled after the whistle, and many are shown with a short, repeated motion. The referee is not just telling you a foul happened; they are telling you what to avoid next time. In South West club games, the following signals come up regularly.

• Slashing: One arm chops against the other forearm, as if striking a stick. It signals a reckless swing rather than a clean check.
• Cross-checking: Both arms extended forward with fists closed, showing the shaft of the stick being pushed into an opponent.
• Illegal body check: A punching motion with one fist, indicating a hit that was late, high, or from behind.
• Holding: One hand grasps the opposite wrist, showing that a player has been held or impeded.
• Push: Both hands push forward from the chest, signalling a shove rather than a legal check.
• Tripping: One leg is lifted and pointed, as if hooking an opponent’s leg.
• Interference: Arms crossed at the chest, indicating a player has blocked or impeded someone without the ball.
• Offside: The referee raises an arm and points towards the midfield area, showing too many players are in one half.
• Unsportsmanlike conduct: An arm extended with a thumb down, or a similar dismissive gesture, warning that behaviour has crossed a line.

Not every referee uses exactly the same style, especially at grassroots level, but these core signals are widely understood. If you are unsure, ask the official after the match rather than during play.

Time Violations and Counts

Time signals can be the most confusing for newcomers, particularly because grassroots lacrosse in the South West rarely uses a visible shot clock. Instead, the referee manages pace with verbal calls, arm signals, and counts. The aim is to keep the game moving without letting one team stall indefinitely.

• Stalling: Arms crossed at the chest. This tells the attacking team to keep playing or lose possession to the defenders.
• Delay of game: A hand on the hip or a pointed finger towards the offending player, signalling that time is being wasted deliberately.
• 20-second clearing: The referee may raise an arm with a fist near the shoulder and tap it, indicating the count for moving the ball out of defence.
• 10-second count: A raised arm and a visible count down, reminding a team to advance the ball towards goal.
• 4-second goalie count: A tap on the wrist or a short arm motion, showing the goalkeeper has held the ball too long inside the crease.
• Penalty time: The referee points towards the penalty box or sideline, confirming a player must serve time.

If a count is being applied, listen for the referee’s voice as well as watching the hands. Many grassroots officials will call out numbers clearly to help both teams react.

Reading the Referee’s Flow

Signals rarely happen in isolation. The whistle, the flag, and the signal work together. A short, sharp whistle usually means a foul or a stoppage. A longer blast often confirms a goal or the end of a period. If an assistant referee or field judge raises a flag, play may continue until the referee blows the whistle, especially for a delayed penalty.

The play-on signal is your cue to keep going. The referee has seen a foul but decides the fouled team still has an advantage. Stopping to argue or look at the referee will only slow your team down. Likewise, when you see arms crossed for stalling, the team with the ball must move towards goal with purpose.

South West lacrosse has a strong tradition of volunteer officials, many of whom are also players, coaches, or parents. They are not there to be the centre of attention. A quiet word at half-time or after the final whistle is always better than a shout from the sideline. Respecting the referee’s signals helps the whole game flow.

Practical Tips for Players, Coaches and Spectators

• Watch the hands, not just the ball. The referee’s arms will tell you where possession is going before the ball is even picked up.
• Learn ten core signals. Possession, play on, slashing, cross-checking, holding, push, tripping, offside, stalling, and timeout will cover most of what you see.
• Coaches: use signals to make quick substitutions or adjust your defence. If the referee calls stalling, your attack needs to move; if the arm points your way, set up your restart.
• Spectators: follow the referee’s arm to understand why play stopped. It is much easier than trying to spot every foul yourself.
• Be patient with new officials. Grassroots lacrosse depends on people willing to pick up a whistle. Encouragement keeps them coming back, which keeps the game growing across the region.

Whether you are playing in a school tournament in Dorset, a club fixture in Somerset, or a Sunday friendly in Devon, the signals are the same language. Learn them, respect them, and you will enjoy the game with more confidence and less confusion.